James J."Spud" Patterson, 60 of Girard, died Sunday June 27, 2010 at his home surrounded by his family, following an extended illness.
 He was born February 21, 1950 in Erie, a son of the late Charles and Dolores Rung Patterson.
 Jim graduated from East High School in 1968. Following high school he was inducted into the US Army in August of 1969 and deployed to Vietnam where he served as a Medical Corpsman with the 566th Medical Company. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for heroism in the Republic of Vietnam on June 4, 1970, where he distinguished himself by valorous actions while serving under hostile fire. His "heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Medical Service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army".  Upon his discharge from the military he returned to the Erie area and went to work for General Electric. He later worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Erie and most recently had been employed by the US Postal Service in Erie.
 He was a member of the Girard American Legion Post# 494 and the Springfield VFW Post #4965. He enjoyed spending many days golfing at Mound Grove and was an avid Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Steelers fan; the Erie Sea Wolves and enjoyed time with family and friends.
 He will be greatly missed by his family which includes his wife, Colleen Morton Patterson, whom he married October 8, 2005 in Girard, also by two daughters, Melissa A. Brooks and her husband Michael of Erie, Heather R. Pezzuti and her husband Jamie of Rimersburg, PA., two step daughters, Ashley R. Estes of Girard and Misty Faulkner of Erie; a son, James C. Patterson and his wife Laura of Lake City; a step son, Brian McGarvie and his wife Dusty of Girard; a sister, Linda Erickson and her husband Bill of Harborcreek; seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
 Friends may call on Tuesday from 2 to 4PM and 7 to 9PM at Daniel R. Edder Funeral Home, 309 Main St. East, Girard. Services will be held there on Wednesday at 10AM. Rev. Darrell Greenawalt Pastor of the Girard and Lake City United Methodist Churchs officiating.
 Burial will be in the Girard Cemetery.
 Memorials may be made in Jim's name to the Northwest PA. Chapter 435 Vietnam Veterans of America, 4808 E. Carver Ave., Erie, PA. 16511
 To send condolences visit edderfuneralhome.com